Diabetes is one of the reason of disability and death in India. Diabetes can lead to increase the risk of serious health illness like:

Stroke

Heart Attack

Blindness

Kidney failure

OR Nerve damage, which can cause you to lose a toe, foot, or leg

It's always good to take precautions to prevent or delay getting type 2 diabetes, Below are some good steps you can take:

Try to Eat healthy Food

Always be active

Keep a track  on your weight

Types of Diabetes

What is diabetes?

You have diabetes means glucose (sugar) levels are too high in your blood. You should know that your body depends on glucose for energy. So when you take food, most of the food converts to glucose. Also your blood works as a carrier to deliver glucose to the other parts of your body.

If you are diabetic, which means your body has problem converting glucose into energy. So what happens, Instead of being used by your body, glucose builds up in your blood and your body is starved (cause to suffer from hunger) of energy. The bad news is high blood glucose can damage any part of your body.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the very common for those who have diabetes. If you are overweight and inactive – or if you have prediabetes then there could be a chance of getting type 2 diabetes.

What is prediabetes - Having prediabetes means your blood glucose levels are on the upper side, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. 

Please be informed that Diabetes is a chronic (long-term) condition.

What is Type 1 diabetes?

Diabetes OR Type 1 diabetes seems to be caused by a difficulty with the immune system (which helps to fight infection). The common truth is,currently there’s no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.

There is other form of diabetes called Gestational diabetes - It is a type of diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes increases the risk of health issues for pregnant woman and upcoming baby. Gestational diabetes could be the cause for you or your baby to develop type 2 diabetes in future. 

Are You at risk for type 2 diabetes?

There could be several things that can put you at risk for type 2 diabetes. You might be at risk in case:

You have prediabetes

You are over age 45

Your parent or sibling have type 2 diabetes

You are overweight OR have obesity

You have high blood pressure or high LDL ("bad") cholesterol

You are not physically active

There are some risk factors which affect only women. You're also at risk for type 2 diabetes in case:

You have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) 

You have given birth to a baby with overweight

You have polycystic ovary syndrome (A condition when your body produces more male hormones than normal)

What is prediabetes?

If you have prediabetes, the glucose levels in your blood are higher than normal – but not high enough to mean you have type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes increases your chance or risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health issues, like stroke and other heart disease.

With the changes in lifestyle and adoption of good habits like losing weight, involve in physical activity as a regular basis, you can make a higher chance for prevent or delay of type 2 diabetes. 

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

It's take time (even years) to develop the symptoms of type 2 diabetes . People with type 2 diabetes generally don't notice the symptoms for a long time. Some people may never notice any symptoms for type 2 diabetes.

Know the Symptoms of diabetes:

You feel unusual tiredness

You feel very hungry or thirsty

You notice Unusual OR frequent Urine (peeing) pass

You have bruises OR cuts  that are slow to heal

You are losing weight for no reason

You are having blurry vision

You are feeling numb or tingly in your hands or feet

It is always important and advisable that you consult your doctor about the risk for type 2 diabetes, as the symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be hard to observe. If you notice any symptoms OR risk factor , consult your doctor.

Consult your doctor about your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Ask your doctor or nurse how to prevent type 2 diabetes.

In case you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant, consult your doctor or midwife about gestational diabetes.

Find out if you need to get tested for diabetes.

People over age 45 who are overweight need to get tested for diabetes. Your doctor can suggest you how often to get tested.

If you have high blood pressure or your family member has a history of type 2 diabetes, Your doctor may recommend you get tested even you're younger than age 45.

If you have prediabetes, then the test for diabetes can also show positive .

Food and Physical Activity

Eating healthy food.

Always try to eat healthy as this can help you control your weight – also help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. Remember that eating healthy can also help manage your health condition in case you have any type of diabetes.

Always prefer foods that are low in saturated added sugars, fats,  and sodium (salt). 

Always be active.

Keep in mind that getting active can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. It can also help you manage any type of diabetes. Good habits and healthy lifestyle like walking, Yoga, aerobic activity OR dancing for at least 30 minutes a day always helpful.

Healthy Weight

Monitor your weight.

Losing weight can help lower your risk for type 2 diabetes, 

You need to burn more calories than you eat to loose weight.  Try to keep a track of:

Your weight

Your food intake - The number of calories and grams of fat in your food

Meals and snacks you eat each day

Duration of the physical activity you do each day

Know Your Numbers

Always keep an eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol.

Check your blood pressure every 3 to 5 years. If you're over age 40 or if you're at increased risk for high blood pressure, get your blood pressure checked once a year.

Also it's important to check your cholesterol level at least every 4 to 6 years. Some people will need to get it checked more or less often. If your cholesterol is high, consult with your doctor about steps you can take to lower it.